Kim made her decision. It had not been an easy one. She sighed and said, "Sorry, Heather, but we are just too dangerous. Even if you are telling the truth and don't want to infect anyone else, there is still a chance that we might accidentally infect someone. I couldn't stand to live with myself if I cursed someone else to this fate. I don't want to stay here. I am not looking forward to an eternity of confinement and boredom. But the truth is, we are responsible for our mistakes. You volunteered to become a monster, and I ignored the warnings and snuck into a closed exhibit. I'm not going to take the chance of infecting someone else - someone innocent - and make them suffer for our mistakes. I think it's time we paid for ours sins, " said Kim sadly.
Heather shook her head and struggled to move. She tried pulling their body forward with her left claw with all her might. But Kim's will was equally strong, and she kept the right claw firmly in place, anchoring them in the cave.
Suddenly, Kim heard a loud thud, as an electronic bolt slapped shut in the large metal door.
"NO!! " screamed Heather, as the time sensitive lock engaged. She had been so close to freedom, but now she was trapped here forever. "You have doomed us, doomed us forever! I will never forgive you, " said Heather, as she began to loudly cry.
Kim sighed. She knew that Heather was upset, but she wasn't worried. In time, Heather would understand that she had done the right thing. Besides, Kim was the only friend Heather had, probably the only friend Heather would ever have now. They were closer than friends, practically sisters. She knew that she would have to work very long and hard to earn Heather's forgiveness. But idle time was all they would really have in the future. And, as Heather herself had said, dragons live a very long time.
Kim looked over at the glass balcony, now at eye level with her. She saw a small man in a khaki overalls staring at them with wide eyes. He had a small surgical mask covering his face, an attempt to prevent being exposed to their infectious body fluids no doubt. He quickly disappeared, and returned with several more figures in khaki body suits, all of which were pointing at them, and talking excitedly.
Kim sighed. She didn't know what they had planned for them, but she could sleep easy in the knowledge that she had sacrificed her freedom to save the world. She hoped that thought was enough to help her endure the many long years of confinement that lay ahead.
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Patrons at the Zoo were surprised that a large part of the park was closed the next day. The Zoo staff had abruptly began a new construction project, creating an immense structure in a distant corner of the Zoo. People patiently awaited its opening, eager to see what strange creature the habitat was being prepared for. But several years after its completion, the exhibit remained closed to the public. Patrons assumed that the animal had died, and that the exhibit was empty. But strangely, armed guards patrolled outside the structure, and shooed away any curious customers. Some people claimed to have heard sounds coming from the building. Sometimes yelling, sometimes crying, sometimes a fearsome animal roar. But more than once someone had claimed to hear the laughter of two giggling girls, amplified to very loud levels. Regardless, the contents of the structure remained a secret, only known to the Zoo executives........and the few staff allowed to care for the building.
Over time, the building was forgotten by most of the general public. But the mystery remained an obsession for a few curious and dedicated people.